*Official* South Africa Test Tour of Zimbabwe 2025

[SteveNZ]

Say what Wiaan.

"I thought we had enough and we need to bowl. Secondly, Brian Lara is a legend let's be real. He got 401, or whatever it was, against England

For someone of that stature to keep that record is pretty special. I think if I get the chance again, I would probably do the same thing

Speaking to Shuks, he kinda said to me as well: 'Listen, let the legends keep the really big scores'

You never know what's my fate, or what is destined for me, but I think Brian Lara keeping that record is exactly the way it should be"

Is this a genuine quote?

Lara's was against England, FFS. Hardly a super power.

Anyway, why are people so deferential towards these things? Michael Clarke declared before passing Mark Taylor, to try and pretend he was a decent bloke. And no one seems to want to pass Lara, because they might be held up as selfish or undeserving of the accolade. Matt Hayden didn't care though, he smashed Trevor Gripper and co all around, crossing himself as he went (which he didn't do in non-televised games).

If you're close, unless it's really clear you need to declare, do it for god's sake. We all know 'you had enough'. You also had more than enough time.

 

[SteveNZ]

Mulder can do what he wants, but I would have liked to see him not only beat Lara's test record but also beat 501, which would also beat Gooch's record for most runs in a Test, and then try and get South Africa to 1,000. If you are going to take some accolades, highest score by a South African, highest score by a South African captain, highest score by a debuting captain, you might as well take everything.

100% agree. People would rather you do that, rather than eke out some inconsequential win over Zimbabwe. SA are the freaking world champions, live a little.

 

[Starfighter]

Say what Wiaan.

"I thought we had enough and we need to bowl. Secondly, Brian Lara is a legend let's be real. He got 401, or whatever it was, against England

For someone of that stature to keep that record is pretty special. I think if I get the chance again, I would probably do the same thing

Speaking to Shuks, he kinda said to me as well: 'Listen, let the legends keep the really big scores'

You never know what's my fate, or what is destined for me, but I think Brian Lara keeping that record is exactly the way it should be"

What sanctimonious ****s

 

[mr_mister]

So now people will think they aren't allowed to beat Lara's record or something

 

[Red_Ink_Squid]

Eh, he's the stand in captain for the stand in captain, and not a big name superstar. I can sorta understand him feeling a bit conflicted/awkward.

But the coach and other senior players should have been telling him in no uncertain terms not to overthink it and just go for the record. If the coach really told his up and coming all rounder that he's not a big enough legend to try and break records, that's kinda sad.

 

[mr_mister]

I wonder if the reaction to Voges averaging 100 at one point has influenced this "I'm not worthy" mentality actually

 

[Darwin Award]

The amount of records Mulder left out there within touching distance:

1.Most test runs in an innings- 400
2.Most test runs in an innings as captain
3.Most test runs in an innings batting at Number 3
4.Most test runs in an innings consisting of boundaries & sixes- 238 by John Edrich ..... Mulder scored 220 out of them.
5.Most boundaries in an innnings- 52..... Mulder hit 49
6.Most runs in a test match- 456 by Gooch
7.First South African batsman to hit a quadruple test century

8.Fastest Quadruple century in tests... LOL!! Hey,these all count regardless of how ridiculous it sounds.

9.Most test runs in a 2 match series- Jayasuriya 571...... Mulder 531 (Also Andy Flower 540)


... I'm sure there's a few more but these are the ones that quickly spring to mind.

 

[slowfinger]

also does anyone else find his statement a bit disrespectful towards the zimbabwe team, that they are not "good enough" to have their name as the opposition for the worlds highest batsman score?

if I were from ZIM, i'd be fuming at that statement, espicially if i were one of the bowlers

a kick in the teeth

 

[trundler]

4.Most test runs in an innings consisting of boundaries & sixes

"Boundaries and sixes" makes no sense. Boundary is the superset for fours and sixes. That's a tautology.

 

[Darwin Award]

also does anyone else find his statement a bit disrespectful towards the zimbabwe team, that they are not "good enough" to have their name as the opposition for the worlds highest batsman score?

if I were from ZIM, i'd be fuming at that statement, espicially if i were one of the bowlers

a kick in the teeth

Catch 22 really... When Hayden batted on after bringing up 300 everybody was saying he was just 'running up the score' against horrible bowling & a mediocre team and blah blah blah and it was 'hollow'... (at least to some people)

and now the opposite and he gets criticised for it...

If were it me I would've gone for it and not given a damn of what was said afterwards.

 

[Darwin Award]

"Boundaries and sixes" makes no sense. Boundary is the superset for fours and sixes. That's a tautology.

Yeah I should've been more clearer with that point..

You know what I mean though....

 

[ashley bach]

Maybe he was just happy enough with what he got and didn't want any overwhelming attention for what he may of perceived as not worthy enough.
Does look like a personal decision and doubt we'll hear any reports that the call to declare was coming from his mates or management.

 

[kykweer.proteas]

The dumbest declaration i have ever seen just because he didn't want to break the world record.

This side will never be great with this small minded mentality.

Next up we have a bowler with 19 wickets in a match but refuses to bowl any more overs, because its ireland.

He is going to regret this for the rest of his life, this is even worse than steyn blocking out vs india when we had a chance to break the test records for 4th innings vs India.

 

[Darwin Award]

The dumbest declaration i have ever seen just because he didn't want to break the world record.

This side will never be great with this small minded mentality.

Next up we have a bowler with 19 wickets in a match but refuses to bowl any more overs, because its ireland.

He is going to regret this for the rest of his life, this is even worse than steyn blocking out vs india when we had a chance to break the test records for 4th innings vs India.

When the West Indies finished on Day 2 against England with Lara on 319 not out there was never ...ever.. a single question whatsoever on whether Lara was going to declare before Hayden's 380.... even though they batted the full 2 days

Not only that... after Lara broke Hayden's world record instead of declaring they went to lunch & he was still hell bent on racking up 400..

No 2nd thoughts,no guilt & nothing standing in his determined way to think of blocking him from history.

Brian Lara never ever would've afforded Mulder's reasoning or mentality in return to any other batsman whatsoever.

This is just a loser mentality..... eg someone deserves it more than me...

F....g sickening!

 

[kykweer.proteas]

If Mulder becomes a future legend with a test average of 50 one day he will always look back at this day and realize that he is a ****ing dumbass and especially Conrad.

 

[Darwin Award]

If Mulder becomes a future legend with a test average of 50 one day he will always look back at this day and realize that he is a ****ing dumbass and especially Conrad.

Do you think if an Indian batsman was in this position the 'team' in the dressing room would've told him to declare?

Hell nooooooo!!! The big wigs at the BCCI would've sent out a message- Don't even dare.... stay out there!

India could've declared waaay earlier against England recently but I reckon Gill wanted to linger and be the first to rack up a historic 250/150 double in a test match... You just knew he was going for it.

 

[CricAddict]

Mulder is dumbass. The record is going to get broken sooner or later by someone.

 

[SteveNZ]

This side will never be great with this small minded mentality.

Wow, your team literally won a WTC title last month. That's probably a bit harsh.

I agree it's a poor decision, but I don't think it speaks to anything about this side which is a genuine world powerhouse in Tests.

 

[Stefan9]

Manthorp says it wasn't his decision. Says shukri calls the calls and said 4 sessions max.
If that is true I am really pissed and so should wiaan be.

Mulder and Test Batting's Crown Jewels

Should he have carried on? It wasn't his call...

mannersoncricket.substack.com

 

[Stefan9]

Is this a genuine quote?

Lara's was against England, FFS. Hardly a super power.

Anyway, why are people so deferential towards these things? Michael Clarke declared before passing Mark Taylor, to try and pretend he was a decent bloke. And no one seems to want to pass Lara, because they might be held up as selfish or undeserving of the accolade. Matt Hayden didn't care though, he smashed Trevor Gripper and co all around, crossing himself as he went (which he didn't do in non-televised games).

If you're close, unless it's really clear you need to declare, do it for god's sake. We all know 'you had enough'. You also had more than enough time.

If you go and look at the test average that english attack lara made is 400 is closer to this zim one then what people would like to admit. Only simon jones ended with a sub 30 average of those who bowled in that game.